Paediatric Burns Patterns and Management in Khartoum Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background:burn is the fourth most common type of trauma worldwide and the third leading cause of accident deaths among children in USA. The highest rate is in South-east Asia and the lowest in
Northern America.
Objectives: To audit the patterns of paediatric burns in Khartoum teaching Hospital (KTH) and evaluates it is management.
Methods: This is a prospective, descriptive hospital-based study.
Results: A total of 60 patients were admitted with moderate to severe burn injuries. Exposure method which is simple and less expensive method is the method of choice for burn wound management in the hospital, with regular physiotherapy; early discharge was the rule and then regular follow-up in the outpatient clinic. Most of the patients (55%) were from outside Khartoum State, and the majority(65%)belongs to low socioeconomic class families. Children below five years constituted 75% of the patients with male predominance. Scalds comprised 60% and the trunk
was the most common affected site.
Conclusion:The overall outcome of burn management revealed 63.3% recovered without significant complications and 3.4% mortality. We noticed almost all burns injuries can be avoided if simple preventive measured were taken; the most important one is public education.

Key Wards: Paediatric burn